Equal Ground

May we never forget.

Eleven years ago today, a white supremacist shot and killed nine Black worshipers and injured one other during Bible study at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Among those killed were beloved parishioners, former pastors, parents and grandparents. They each should still be here, but had their lives stolen in a racist, preventable act of gun violence.

The gunman was able to buy a gun despite his criminal background because of a gap in our laws now known as the “Charleston Loophole.” This loophole allows gun dealers to move forward with a sale if the background check takes longer than three business days. It allows those who would fail a background check to get their hands on fi****ms, and enables tragedies in our communities.

We can’t let this keep happening. Today and always, our hearts are with the victims, survivors, and Charleston community as we work to close this dangerous loophole and build a future where our houses of worship are free from gun violence.

Each year of our annual Legislative Debrief Tour we look forward to the special edition with the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida members. It allows us an opportunity to provide an update on how Black businesses will be impacted by new bills introduced by legislators and what they should prepare as it relates to new grants and state budget are approved for various projects they can benefit from.

Thank you to Rep. Rita Harris and Representative Anna V. Eskamani as well as Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith for joining us and providing a thorough update from the 2026 Legislative Session.

Join us for the June Florida Black Political Empowerment Monthly Call. This Conversation will include a breakdown on Florida’s Budget, Property Taxes & their Impact on Black Communities by Holly Bullard, Chief Strategy and Development Officer at the Florida Policy Institute.

Holly Bullard is a respected policy expert and advocate with extensive experience analyzing state budgets, tax policy, economic opportunity, and public investments. Be sure to join us and invite your network as we continue building an informed and empowered Florida. https://equalgroundeducation.zoom.us/meeting/register/rbfdwLSMSdyymttrgw79Bw #/registration